Build Your Musical House on a Rock-Solid Foundation (Because Sand Doesn't Stream Well)

Dec 3, 2024

2 min read

Don’t procrastinate—start today! Set weekly goals and dedicate time to working on each of these areas. Use this as a launching pad to fuel your own research and shape your unique branding strategy.

1.) A Good Song (Because Mediocre Won’t Cut It)

It’s obvious, but let’s say it anyway: your song needs to be good—preferably great. If you’re serious about making music your life, you’ve got to hone your craft. Practice your instrument, write (and rewrite) your songs, and never stop improving. Once you chose this wild ride as a career, you signed up to be a lifelong student and creator.

And here’s a pro tip: Your friends and families glowing praises are wonderful for your ego, but for real feedback, find other musicians or industry professionals who won’t hesitate to tell you the truth. Constructive critique beats mom’s “best song ever!” any day.

* Get It Professionally Produced!

Your song deserves more than a bedroom demo. Whether you learn to produce yourself or hire a pro, make sure it’s recorded, mixed, and mastered properly. While DIY production is a great skill to have, bringing in an experienced producer can take your music to levels you didn’t know existed. Bonus: learning even the basics of production will make you a sharper artist in the long run.

2.) Don’t Skip the Marketing (Unless You Like Obscurity)

Marketing might feel like the evil twin of artistry, but without it, you’re playing the lottery with your career. Every day, 120,000 songs hit Spotify. Why should yours stand out in that flood? Marketing is how you help your future fans find you.

Here’s the game plan:

Post regularly on social media to build awareness (boosted ads don’t hurt).
Actually engage with fans—comment, reply, and be human.
Use ads to promote new releases and boost streams.
Build an email list. Yes, email. It’s still the best way to reach your superfans with offers, updates, and exclusive goodies.

Pro tip: Spend at least as much on marketing as you did on creating the song. And make your ads scroll-stopping—if you wouldn’t click it, neither will anyone else.

3.) Get Your Live Game On (With an EPK)

Want to play shows? You’ll need an Electronic Press Kit (EPK). Think of it as your digital business card for venues and booking agents. Bandzoogle has a great post about how to create one.

If you’re new to performing, start with open mic nights. They’re great for gaining experience and confidence. If you’ve got some chops, don’t wait for gigs to fall into your lap. Research venues that suit your style, send them your EPK, and follow up. Getting ignored? Keep at it—if your music is solid and your streams are growing, the gigs will come.